Who would have thought that an iconic band could be right within our grasp? Unlocking The Doors, hailing from Wollongong, is just a skip and a step away! Recently, this author had the opportunity to witness their performance at the Airlie Beach Hotel, even sharing a ride on the airport shuttle bus with the band, fostering instant South Coast camaraderie!

The band, comprising of Richie, Mick, Sandy, and Lee, has crafted a distinctive group paying homage to Jim Morrison’s legendary band of yesteryear. Richie, adorned in his signature leather pants and belt, sporting Jim's moves, could easily be mistaken for a mature version of the iconic frontman. His stage presence and moves authentically channel the spirit of the late, great Jim Morrison.

Having performed together for the past six years, Unlocking The Doors is widely regarded as one of the most genuine Australian tribute acts, capturing the energy, mayhem, and psychedelia of the late 60s, bringing Jim’s music and poetry vividly to life.

Unlocking The Doors roadie, Paul, a local from Kiama, plays an essential role in ensuring their magic reaches the stage. He is a regular in Kiama with his mother still residing in the area.

"We aim to showcase the brilliance of The Doors and the captivating stage presence of Jim Morrison," says Rich, also known as 'Jim,' a lifelong admirer of The Doors who delivers a heartfelt performance, embodying the enigmatic allure once possessed by the band's iconic frontman. At a turning point in his life, Rich decided to pursue his music passion and has not looked back!

One distinctive trait of The Doors was their performance without a bass player, a role adeptly filled by Sandy on organ and keyboard. She masterfully reproduces the authentic live sound of Unlocking the Doors, dedicating herself to emulating Ray Manzarek's dual keyboard wizardry, seamlessly blending hypnotic bass fills with stabbing syncopation and signature melodies.

Drawing on his background in classical guitar and rock, Mick skilfully manoeuvres his Gibson SG standard, employing finger-picking techniques to replicate Robbie Krieger's beautiful legato tone. From the ethereal tremolo of 'Riders on the Storm' to the raw intensity of '5 to 1,' Mick pays homage to Krieger's distinctive sound, defying categorisation.

Completing the lineup on drums is Lee, who channels John Densmore's unique fusion of jazz, rock, and Latin beats, an integral component of The Doors' iconic sound. Lee faithfully recreates Densmore's original style, providing the essential backbeat crucial for honouring the band's impressive catalogue of classics.

More than 50 years since their debut album, The Doors remain a cultural phenomenon, continuing to captivate audiences with their timeless music and provocative lyrics. Unlocking The Doors transports us back to an era when 'The Lizard King' reigned supreme, introducing a new generation to the mesmerising allure of The Doors and helping new listeners break on through to the other side.

So next step - we need to open some doors to get the group down to perform in Kiama so we can all enjoy a trip down memory lane!